In an ideal world we would all have a mini farm in our backyard, cook all our meals to perfection and sit down to enjoy our meals while bonding with the family. But let's be real!
We live in a busy world, and are often rushing through our day without enough time to stop and cook up a healthy meal.
If your best bet is to grab something from the store while you are on the run, here are some healthy store-bought snack options.
Fresh fruit: Apples, bananas, oranges, grapes, berries, and other fresh fruit are always a healthy snack choice.
Raw veggies with dip: Many grocery stores carry pre-cut vegetables like carrots, celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers, which you can pair with hummus or another healthy dip. Always try and pick your dips and sauces from the produce aisle for freshness.
Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds are all great options. Be sure to choose unsalted to avoid the sodium overload.
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is high in protein and makes a great snack. Always pick the plain, unsweetened varieties and add your own fruit or nuts to avoid added sugars.
Rice cakes: These are a low-calorie, crunchy snack that can be topped with nut butter or avocado for extra flavor.
Trail mix: A mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit can be a satisfying and healthy snack option. Just be sure to choose varieties without added sugar or salt.
Whole grain crackers with hummus or cheese: Whole grain crackers provide fiber and nutrients, while hummus or cheese provides protein.
Dark chocolate: A small piece of dark chocolate can satisfy a sweet tooth while also providing antioxidants.
Energy bars: Look for bars with natural ingredients like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, and avoid bars with added sugars or artificial sweeteners.
Cottage Cheese: Individual sized packs of cottage cheese can make for a great snack. Top with fresh fruit or nuts to add flavor.
Remember, it's important to read the labels and ingredients of packaged foods to make sure they are healthy and not full of added sugars or unhealthy fats. Avoid foods with a very long list of ingredients, and look out for any hidden toxic ingredients (Click here for a list of the top 10 toxic ingredients) and buy fresh wherever possible.
Blogger bio: Chitra Rochlani is a NASM certified personal trainer (CPT) and corrective exercise specialist (CES) and Precision Nutrition Coach. She focuses on teaching her clients to move their body efficiently so they get lean, strong and feel good about taking care of their body.
Chitra empowers her clients to break free of the diet mentality and develop a speedy metabolism using fitness, nutrition and mindset tools. She uses her "Fit Warrior" method to combine nutrition, fitness and mindset to help her clients look, feel and perform at their best.